Yardman mdl 11a5mb055, I ran the mower w low oil & noticed an overheating smell. The oil was low (none on dipstick) and I then added over a quart & a half of oil. It just kept taking it. Now when I run the mower, really heavy white smoke comes out and it blows oil from the engine onto the ground and into the air filter. Have I ruined the mower?

flwren, March 2009

You could, but this could take sometime and would be very messy and smoky. Best thing to do would be to drain off the excess but either with a friend tipping the mower so you can drain oil off from the filler tube ot locate the sump drain plug on the underside of the engine (but these rarely undo easily) Personally a suction device is what most professionals use, but unless you know someone with one you can borrow, then tipping t out the way it went in is probably the best option.

pleasant, April 2009

Reply to Pleasant - thanks,
Should I run it until it uses the excess oil?

flwren, March 2009

You've overfilled it with oil.

pleasant, March 2009